PREVENTING A FIRE IS BETTER THAN FIGHTING A FIRE

There are certain guidelines that are effective the world over for preventing a fire. If we would but implement these guidelines in our daily living, we can make this planet a much safer place to live.

GUIDELINES FOR HIGH-RISE BUILDING OCCUPIERS

 

Install fire warning devices, fire extinguishers and fire protection systems for early fire detection and fighting a fire. Also, check regularly for their effective functioning.
 

If there is a fire extinguish the same with the help of portable fire extinguisher; otherwise, raise an alarm and inform the security and fire brigade. Emergency telephone number " 101 " for Fire Brigade should be known to all occupants.
  Fire tends to spread upwards. Try to escape to lower floors and then outside.
  Use staircase only. Never use lifts as you may get trapped inside it.
  Ensure speedy evacuation in emergencies. Never block staircases and passages.
  Park vehicles in parking spaces only, so as not to impede movement of fire tenders.
 

Educate the occupants to correctly interpret the fire alarm and understand the emergency action expected of them.
  Carry out fire alarm and evacuation drills at least twice a year.

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GUIDELINES FOR INDUSTRIAL ESTABLISHMENTS

 

Good housekeeping in a factory is good fire prevention. Keep waste materials. packing materials, etc. well away from heat sources. Dispose them properly at regular intervals.
  Ensure periodical maintenance and inspection of plant and equipment.
 

Provide separate storage room for materials like coir, jute, textiles, cotton, gunny, coke, coal, wet or oil materials. Wherever necessary, these rooms could be protected by sprinkler systems or fire extinguishers.
  Keep all gang ways clear of obstructions.
  While leaving the workplace, ensure all electrical appliances are unplugged.
  Replace brittle / worn-out wiring, broken plugs and switches immediately.
  Do not use electrical appliance without an appropriate plug.
  Overloading the electrical circuit can start a fire.
 

Discourage smoking at workplace.
 

Train your employees on use of portable fire extinguishers and also the emergency procedures. Switch off the main before attempting to fight any electrical fire.
 

Keep easy access to fire extinguishers.

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GUIDELINES FOR STORAGE OF CHEMICALS

 

Store chemicals in detached buildings of non-combustible construction with ventilation at ground level / ceiling level.
  Limit the storage of flammable, corrosive and toxic chemicals in stage to minimum.
  Ensure that all containers have labels for proper identification of contents.
 

Spilled liquids, should be promptly mopped up using non-combustible absorbents like chalk powder, sand, etc. and disposed off at a safe place.
 

Personal handling chemicals should know the fire and toxic hazards of them and also wear appropriate personal protective equipment.
  Avoid all sources of ignition in the chemical storage areas.

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GUIDELINES FOR GENERAL PUBLIC

  Do not leave small children alone in the house or allow them to play in kitchen.
 

Take utmost care while handling LPG stove for cooking purpose. If you suspect leakage of LPG, close the cylinder valve and inform the concerned persons.
 

Do not over pump a pressure stove as it may explode. Never fill kerosene when the stove is lit.
  If oil in a pan catches fire, put off the stove and cover pan with a lid. Never pour water on it.
 

Extinguish the cigarette completely before discarding. A burning cigarette can ignite any organic matter very easily.
 

Plug only one appliance in one socket. Overloading the electrical circuit can start a fire.
  If your clothes catch fire, do not run. Stop, drop and roll on ground.
 

In case of burns, pour water on the affected part of body till the pain subsides. Never apply oil, ointment, or any other material. Consult a doctor for serious burns.
  Extinguish the fire if you can. Otherwise, raise an alarm and evacuate.
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